Returning from a winter hiatus, the Live Cast is back with another episode to cover the past few months of gaming news. Tune in here to watch it live on Saturday, April 30th at 11 a.m. PST (2 p.m. EST).

Below is the agenda we have planned, but always keep in mind that what we discuss may ebb and flow according to what you, the viewers, dictate. See you then!

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This week we’ve got a new (or is it old?) format for the podcast. From now on, we’re combining the WoWcast and the MMOcast in to the Lorecast for your listening pleasure. For this inaugural podcast, iTZKooPA, Amatera, and Juggynaut discuss all the latest happenings in MMOs.

Forgive me. I know that LoreHound.com is, for all intents and purposes, an MMOG site, but this is Jumpman Mario we’re talking about. Not only is Mario and Shigeru Miyamoto responsible for hooking me on video games once and for all, but the duo basically saved the home video game industry as we know it. If it wasn’t for Nintendo, the NES, Mario and Shigeru Miyamoto (with help from other friends) the industry would have likely been set back 10 years by the video game crash of 1983.

Hats off to Mario and all his contributions to gamedom.

Sure, he’s packed one a few pounds (too many mushrooms), can’t jump as high (dining on flowers will do that) and has only made more enemies as time has progressed (Donkey Kong, Bowser, Wario), but damn if he doesn’t look good. Not only does he dress better, but he has managed to dramatically increase his pixel count!

Nintendo has announced a “reproduction” of Super Mario All-Stars to commemorate the plumber’s anniversary. Unfortunately, there’s no word on a release outside of Japan of the Super Mario Anniversary Collection Pack. In the meantime, head over to Nintendo’s commemorative website to brush up on your Mario knowledge and nostalgia.